Lakota Way: Stories & Lessons for Living

Joseph Marshall has dedicated his entire life to spiritual fulfillment and teaching to others the essence of the Lakota wisdom. As a child, he learned from his grandfather: "Insults can hurt, but only if you let them. If you learn to let the wind blow through you, you will take away its power to blow you down. If you let the words pass through you, you will not feel them." In The Lakota Way, he imparts this lesson his grandfather gave him as well as many others. It combines his own poetic voice with rich storytelling, Native American folklore, history, and lessons to give a fresh outlook for those searching for a new perspective on spirituality and ethical living.

In The Lakota Way, Joe Marshall expresses the heart of Native American philosophy and the qualities that are crucial to the Lakota path to a fulfilling and meaningful life: bravery, fortitude, generosity, wisdom, respect, honor, selflessness, perseverance, love, humility, sacrifice, truth, and compassion. The wisdom is shared through stories at the heart of Lakota culture—and its survival—and their meaning and relevance are explained through examples from history and everyday life. The legend of Crazy Horse illuminates a lesson on humility, and the legend of Deer Woman teaches a lesson on respect. The Lakota Way is the perfect handbook of life and ethics for the entire family.